Hosiery



S. C. MACK Oct. 8, 1946.

HOSIERY Filed m 9, 1.942

3 Sheets-Sheet l 7 INVENTOR. v Sfzrllgg C fiat/i- 7 BY ATTORNEY S. C. MACK HOS IERY s Sheets-Shed 2 Filed July Q, 1942 QR hv m mm m a .m 7 M U M 1 A 1% S s. c. MACK 2,409,138

HOSIERY 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 9, 1942 INVENTOR fiftglzm C flank W km ZORN EY patented Oct. 8, 1946 HOSIERY Sterling C. Mack, Bangor, Pa., assignor to Julius Kayser & 00., Brooklyn, N. Y.

Applicaticn July 9, 1942, Serial No. 450,330

18 Claims.

The present invention generally relates to hosiery and, more specifically, pertains to fullfashioned hosiery knitted in one operation on a single machine in accordance with the method set forth in m Letters Patent No. 2,298,302, issued October 13, 1942, on copending application Serial Number 410,705, filed September 13, 1941, of which the present application is a continuation in part.

Th invention particularly aims to provide a knitted single unit hosiery fabric construction wherein the heel portions are shaped through widening by the addition of loops onto the ends of the heel courses, and has for one of its main objects the provision of widened heel portions in hosiery fabric of the ringless construction whereby the separate yarns utilized in succes sive sequence for the knitting of said portions in such fabric become tied in the selvage edges thereof, thus constituting strong and tight selvages without any detrimental floats running along said selvages between the series of courses.

Another important object of the invention resides in the provision of hosiery fabric of the kind specified wherein the formation to tight, strong, and non-ravelling selvage edges of the widened heel area are assured, whether the widening of the heel courses takes place in each course or in spaced courses throughout said area.

A particularly important feature of the invention results from an improved widened selvage construction which not only ties in the various yarns utilized in the knitting of the widened heel area to form a tight and strong selvage and obviate detrimental floats, but which is also capable of effectively locking the selvage loops formed from said yarns to prevent ravelling of such loops.

Qther important objects and advantages of the invention will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

In order that the invention and its mode of operation may be more readily understood by those skilled in the art, I have, in the accompanying drawings and in the detailed description based thereupon, set out possible embodiments of the invention.

In these drawings:

Figure 1 is a face elevation of a lady's fullfashioned stocking constructed in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is an elevation of a portion of the flat knitted stocking blank diagrammatically illustrating the formation thereof;

Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the mode of feeding the several yarns in the knitting of certain parts of the stocking blank;

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic representation of the widened fabric constructed according to one form of the invention;

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic representation of the widened fabric construction according to another form of the invention.

Referring more particularly to the drawings wherein like characters of reference will designate corresponding parts throughout in several views, there is shown in Figure l a full-fashioned knitted stocking I constructed in accordance with the invention. The stocking comprises the welt portion 2, the leg portion 3, and the foot portion 4. The stocking also preferably has the usual reinforced high heel 5, heel proper 6, instep sole 8, and toe 9, the toe being of the well known French type which, as generally known, is obtained by narrowing the fabric to form diamond points [0.

As diagrammatically shown in Figure the stocking is made from a fiat knitted blank, the selvage edges ll of which are sewed to form the ordinary back seam l2 (Figure 1) extending from the top of the welt to the tip of the toe where the loose course l3 (Figure 2) of the toe which is looped in the usual manner, as indicated at 14 in Figur 1, after the ravelling course portion l5 (Figure 2) is removed.

The stocking fabric is of the well known ringless construction, that is, the fabric, as diagrammatically shown in Figure 3, is knitted preferably from three separate and distinct body yarns, YI, Y2, and Y3 respectively laid in repeated alternating sequence/s0 that the same body yarn never reoccurs in any two consecutive courses.

The sections of the foot portion of the blank adjoining both selvage edges I l are reinforced to constitute the reinforced high heel 5, heel proper 5, and sole 8 by means of reinforcing yarnsRl and R2 respectively fed to the corresponding parts of the courses'within the areas to be reinforced, as is represented diagrammatically in Figure 3. For convenience and clarity in showing th invention, the reinforcingyarns RI and B2 are shown unshaded, whereas the body yarn Yl is shaded solid black, the body yarn Y2 is stipplcd, and the body yarn Y3 is lined It will clearly be understood from Figure 2 that the stocking blank is of the single unit type, that is, th foot portion 4 is knitted as a direct continuation of the leg portion 3 on one machine, the sections of the heel proper 6 being In both Figures 4 and 5, there are represented several successive courses taken in the vicinity. of the stocking heel to include a portion- H or" the sections of the reinforced high heel. Eand a portion W of the sections of the reinforced widened heel 5. In accordance with the usual. practice one reinforcing yarn BI is used in conjunction with thethree body. yarns Yl, Y2, and Y3 in forming thedesirednumber of reinforced loops to constitute-thereinforced heel area A at one side of the stocking fabric, and the other reinforcing yarn R2 is used in conjunction with the three body; yarns Yl, Y2, and Y3 in forming the desired; number of reinforced loops to constitute the reinforced heel area B at the other side of the stockingfabric, said three body yarns Yl, Y2, and Y3 being used alone, that is, with out. either rein-forcing yarn- R! orRZ, to form the desired number of non-reinforced loops intermediatethe reinforcedloopswithin the heel area A and the reinforced loops within the heel area B to constitute the sheer-instep area 0.

It will be understood that: the-desired number of reinforced loops within the reinforced heel areas A and B maybe obtained'by predetermined adjustment of any. suitahle'widening attachment, preferably; such as that shown and;described in my cooendlng application Serial Number 401 112. filed July'E, 1941, and of the well known Pointex attachment usually provided on full-fashioned knittingma-chines, the widening attachment controlling the feedingofthe body and reinforcing yarns at theouter selvage edges of the, reinforced areasAand- B of thefa-bric, and the Pointex attachment: controllingthe; feeding of the reinforcing yarns at the inner selvage; edgesof said areas.

In constructing the stocking I (Figure l) in accordance with this invention, the welt 2 and leg Eare knitted in the usual well known manner. down to and including the reinforced sections of thehigh heel 5, that is,.the hosiery blank (Figure 2) is. knitted in accordance with the ordinary practice: in the art to approximately the point;

At saidpoint a-a, if the constructionof the hosiery fabric; is such that widening occurs in. each course of the widened'areaW (Figure 4), thenthe, body yarn, for instance, the body yarn Yl which forms course I; the reinforcing yarn R2 which reinforces certain loops of said course I, and the body yarn Y2 which forms the ,next suc-, ceedingcourse II are extended beyond the selvage. loop. l8. so that in said course II the body yarn Y2 and reinforcing yarn R2 form two additional needle loops I-Qand 2B and one intermediate additional sinkeryloop 2| at the-right handiside selvage' edgelockingat Figure 4.

It'will be noted that the portions of the body yarns Y1 and Y2 and of the reinforcing yarn R2. which float beyond the selvage loops l8 of course. I pass through and aregengagedby the additional sinker loops 2! of course II thus providing a tight ill and revel-proof selvage. Likewise at the opposite selvage edge, the remaining body yarn Y3 passes through and is engaged by the selvago loop 22 so that this selvage edge also is tight and revel-proof.

In the immediately following course III which is formed with the body yarn Y3, said body yarn Y3, together, with the reinforcing yarn RI and the body yarn Y2 which forms the preceding course II, are extended beyond the mentioned selvage loop 22. The body yarn Y3 and reinforcing yarn RI thus form two additional needle loops 23 and '25 and an intermediate additional sinker loop 2.5,thebody yarn Y3 passing through and being engaged by the sinker loop 25 and body yarn Y2 and the reinforcing yarn R! passing through and'being engaged by both the sinker loop 25 and-the immediately adjacent inner sinker loop 26 to constitute a tight selvage and lock the same against ravelling.

Additionalneedle-andsinker loops such as those above described are formed withea-ch of the body yarnsYi, Y2, and Y3 and the associated reinforcing yarns HI and R2 in the respective successive courses throughout the widened portion of the heel 6, that is, up to approximately the point b-h (Figure 2).

In the construction wherein wideningoccurs in spaced courses of the widened heel area (Figure-5), at the point a-athe coursesIa and 1111 have the same formation as. courses I. andII of Figure 4, thatis, the body yarn, for instance the body yarn Y! whichforms course, Ia, the reinforc ing' yarn R2; Which reinforces certain loops of said course Ia, and the-body yarn Y2 which gaged: by the additional-sinker loop 2 la of course 11a and, accordingly, providinga tight and ravel' proof. selva-ge;

Also attheopposite selvage edge, theremaining bod-y, yarn 13-. passes throng hand is engaged by theselvage-loopZQaso that; the selvageedge is tightand revel-proof.v However, as willclearlyappearifrom Figure 5, in the immediately following-course IIIa there isprovided but a single additional-needle loop 2'1 constituted by one body yarn.

only; that is; the-body yarn Y3 :withoutthe reinforcing; yarn. The: sinker loop 28 contisuousito the needle loop 2'! is likewise constitutedby the body yarn Y3; alone, the reinforclng'yarn RI starting in the: course IIIa. with. the: formation of the adjoining needle loop 29;

It is-particularlypointed out that the yarn Y2 which forms'the'course IIa passes throughxthe non-reinforced sinker loop.v 28;, and. thus becomes tied thereby, The end; needle loop; 38 at the right hand side salvage of the course. IIIo, is

drawn through the needle loop 19a of theprece' Y2 and reinforcing yarn RI form two additional needle loops 32 and 33 and an intermediate additional sinker loop 34. It will be noted that the body yarn Y2 incorporated in the courses I10. and 11b and passed through the non-reinforced sinker loop 28 also passes through the selvage loop 34 added to course IIb whereas the body yarn Y! and reinforcing yarn RI extended beyond the selvage loop 3| of course Ib pass through said added sinker loop 34 and also through the immediately adjoining sinker loop 35 of said course 111).

As represented in Figure 5, the formation and construction of the loops 21, 28, and 29 at the left hand side selvage edge of course IIIa are duplicated at the right hand side selvage edge of course IIIb, whereas the formation and disposition of loops 35] and 3! of the right hand side selvage of courses 111a and Ib are duplicated at the left hand side selvage of courses 111D and I0.

The addition of loops and duplication of the loop formation construction and disposition as above described are carried out throughout the widened heel area, that is, up to approximately the point bb (Figure 2).

As illustrated in said Figure 2, following the completion of the widened heel area (point a-a to point bb), several straight courses, that is, courses of equal length, are knitted to supply the necessary amount of fabric (point 12-12 to point c--c) for the desired dimension of the heel, after which the courses (point c--c to point d-cl) are narrowed, as indicated by the marks 36, according to the well known established procedure for imparting to the heel its proper shape. From the point dd, the blank is completed by the formation of courses in the ordinary manner to constitute the sections of the sole 8 and toe 9 and, finally, the ravelling portion l5.

Whereas in Figure 5 and in the description based thereon, the widening is disclosed by way of example as taking place at the end of every third course, it is to be understood that the spacing of the widened courses may vary without departing from the gist of the invention. Also it is to be understood that the embodiment of the invention as herein shown and described is capable of certain modifications. Therefore, any modifications coming within the scope of the subjoined claims are to be considered within the spirit of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. A flat knitted fabric comprising serie of courses, the courses in each series being knitted from separate but identical yarns, certain of said courses having a pair of needle loops and an intermediate sinker loop added thereonto, the portions of the several yarns incorporated in the courses of one series and floating from the selvage thereof passing through such a sinker loop added onto courses of subsequent series.

2. A fiat knitted fabric consisting entirely of series of courses, the courses in each series being knitted from separate but identical yarns, certain courses of certain series having a pair of needle loops and an intermediate sinker loop added thereonto, the portions of the several yarns incorporated in the courses of one series and floating from the selvage edge thereof passing through such a sinker loop added onto courses of subsequent series.

3. A flat knitted fabric consisting entirely of series of courses, the courses in each series being knitted from separate but identical yarns, the courses of certain series having a pair of needle loops and an intermediate sinker loop added thereonto, the portions of the several yarns iiicorporated in the courses of one series and floating from the selvage thereof, passing through such a sinker loop added onto coursesof subsequent series.

4. Hosiery having a flat knitted widened heel portion comprising series of courses, the courses in each series being knitted from separate but identifical yarns, certain of said courses having a pair of needle loops and an intermediate sinker loop added thereonto, the portions of the several yarns incorporated in the courses of one series and floating from the selvage thereof passing through such a sinker loop added onto courses of subsequent series.

5 Hosiery having a flat knitted widened heel portion comprising serie of courses, the courses in each series being knitted from separate but identical body yarns, certain loops in each of said courses having reinforcing yarns incorporated therein, certain of said courses having reinforced loops added thereonto, the portions of the several body yarns and reinforcing yarns incorporated in the courses of one series and floating from the selvage thereof passing through certain reinforced loops added onto courses of subsequent series.

6. Flat knitted ringless fabrici produced from plural yarns used in succession and in a definite repeating sequence in the knitting, and having courses widened by one or more added end loops, in each of which widened courses a selvage loop comprises one of said plural yarns and is locked by passage of said one of the plural yarns and another of said plural yarns through the sinker Wale loop adjacent said selvage loop in such widened course.

7. In a Weft knit fabric comprising series of courses of difierent widths, the courses of each series being knit from separate yarns, and p rtions of a plurality of yarns forming a narrower series looking a selvage of a course of a wider series.

3. A weft knit fabric including a plurality of courses of loops knit from the same yarn and one of which courses is wider than the other, intermediate courses of loops spacing and connecting said first named courses of loops, one of said intermediate courses of loops having a sinker Wale loop adjacent to a selvage loop, and said spaced courses first named being connected by a float locking said sinker Wale loop.

9. A weft knit fabric comprising a plurality of courses of loops knit from the same yarn, one of which courses is wider than the other, intermediate courses of loops spacing and connecting said first named courses of loops, said yarn having a section looking a selvage of said intermediate courses.

10. A weft knit fabric comprising courses of loops knit from plural yarns in succession in a definite repeating sequence, one of said courses having a selvage loop and an adjacent sinker loop extending laterally beyond an adjoining course, and a plurality of yarns forming courses aforesaid having portions floating through and locking said sinker loop and one of said last named yarns having a further portion forming said selvage loop.

11. A Weft knit fabric having courses of loops and including a plurality of spaced courses of loops formed from the same yarn, said yarn having a continuous float portion between said last named courses and passing through loops of a plurality of other courses of said fabric.

.12. A Weft knit fabric having courses of loops andincluding. a plurality of spaced selvedged courses of different widths formed from the same yarn, a pluralityof intermediate courses of loops spacing and connecting said last named courses, said yarn having a continuous float portion passing through a loop of each of said intermediate courses, said last named loops being in wales lying outwardly beyond the adjacent selvage loop of the narrower of said first mentioned courses.

. 13. A'weft knit selvage fabric having a Widened portion and comprising series of courses, the courses in-e'ach series being knit from separate yarn's', and portions of several yarns incorporated in courses of one series locking the salvage of a course of a subsequent series. 7

14. A flat knit selvage fabric comprising series of courses; the courses in each series being knit from separate yarns, certain of said courses having loops added thereto and portions of several yarnsincorporated in separate courses of one series floating through an added loop of a course of a subsequent series and locking the selvage, l5. A flat knitselvage fabric comprising series of courses, the courses in each series being knit from separate yarns, certain of said courses being widened by needle and sinker loops added thereto; and portions of several yarns incorporated in separate courses of one series passing 8 through an added sinker loop of a widened course of a subsequent series to form a non-ravelling selvage.

16. A flat knit selvage fabric comprising series of three courses, each course in each series including a yarn separate from the yarns forming the remaining courses of such series, one course in each series having loops added thereto and unlooped portions of several yarns incorporated in courses -of one series and floating through a loop aforesaid added onto a course of a subsequent series.

17. A flat knit fabric comprising a series of courses, the courses in each series being knit from separate yarns, courses of saidseries having loops added thereto and portions of several yarns incorporated in courses of one series and floating from the-selvage thereof passing consecutively through loops of a plurality of courses of a subsequent series.-

18. Weft knit hosiery having a lock-selvaged reenforced. .sv'i'dened heel, portion comprising courses of loops formed of a plurality of yarns in succession in a definite repeating sequence, each yarn aforesaid having a float portion locked in a loop inward from a selvage loop of a course lying between courses formed by such yarn.

STERLING C. MACK. 

